Deputy Arts Editor, The Age

Trumpeter Gil Askey, who passed away at the age of 89. Photo: Melanie Faith Dove

He worked with Diana Ross, Judy Garland, Liza Minnelli and Miles Davis but trumpeter, composer and producer Gil Askey was better known to the people of Frankston as the elderly gentleman who gave his time to young musicians and could ''talk the leg off a table''.

''He was our living link to the history of Motown and he embodied the loving of life and the loving of music,'' said saxophonist, band mate and close friend Paul Williamson.

Askey - considered to be one of the architects of the Motown sound - died at his home in Frankston on Wednesday at 89 from an aggressive lymphoma. He is survived by his Australian-born wife Hellen, three children (Gregory, 65, Deidra, 62, and Emile 31), six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

''Everyone was equal to him,'' said youngest son Emile. ''He treated the person serving you at the drive through the same as he treated Diana Ross.''

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Askey's last days were filled with phone calls from music luminaries who had heard of his illness, Emile said. ''He wore himself out talking to Stevie Wonder, Motown founder Berry Gordy and American Idol musical director Rickey Minor.''

In Australia, he has been lauded by contemporaries including fellow trumpet player James Morrison who said: ''I think it was best said by founder of Motown Records Berry Gordy - Gil was 'the glue that kept everything together'. He was the guy who was able to bring together talented people so they could make music that just wouldn't happen the same way without him. He was one of those musical gems that comes along once in a generation.''

In 2001, Askey told the ABC: ''I worked with some lovely people, I worked with some very important people. I've written music for Judy Garland, for Liza Minnelli, I knew Miles [Davis], I knew Billie Holiday.''

Askey was a writer and arranger for the Four Tops, the Jackson 5 and Martha Reeves in the 1960s before becoming musical director to Diana Ross (he received an Oscar nomination for his work on Lady Sings the Blues in 1972).

Askey moved to Melbourne in 1980 after marrying his second wife, Hellen, and became a key figure in his local community, including volunteering to mentor music students at the Woodleigh School.

In 2010, Askey acted as music consultant for Motown's 50th anniversary international tour with the Four Tops, the Temptations, Mary Wilson of the Supremes and Martha Reeves.

At the time he told Fairfax, ''they called me because I know everybody and I have written music for all of them''.

Askey's final big performance was with Paul Williamson and Hetty Kate in February at White Night.

A funeral service will be held for Gil Askey at 10am on Thursday, April 17, at St Anne's Catholic Church, 84 Austin Road, Seaford.